Scott McTominay has disclosed that he received emergency care for an irregular heartbeat only 48 hours before Scotland started their World Cup campaign against Haiti in June.
The Napoli midfielder, 29, was cleared to play in the tournament’s opening match after doctors performed a procedure to restore his normal heart rhythm. He has since had an ablation operation in Manchester and says he now feels considerably better.
McTominay has spoken about the experience, admitting that the timing of the heart issue made an already significant occasion especially challenging.
McTominay’s heart treatment occurred two days before the Haiti match
The Scotland international explained that he required medical intervention shortly before the opening World Cup fixture, even though he had completed his preparations and felt in excellent physical shape.
“I had to go and get the shock on my heart,” McTominay revealed.
“It was two days before the Haiti game. You’ve prepared so well. I was in such good condition, and then something like that happens. You’re thinking, ‘how is this happening to me?'”
The midfielder was put under anaesthesia while doctors corrected his heartbeat before confirming he was fit to play. He subsequently appeared in Scotland’s 1-0 victory over Haiti in Massachusetts before playing 90 minutes in the defeats against Morocco and Brazil.
Although he felt physically ready to compete, McTominay acknowledged that being in a hospital bed so close to the tournament’s opening match was far from ideal.
Napoli midfielder discusses recovery after ablation procedure
McTominay later underwent an ablation procedure in Manchester, a minimally invasive operation used to treat irregular heart rhythms. He praised the medical professionals involved in his treatment, as well as his club, for their support throughout the process.
The 29-year-old believes the operation was necessary and is pleased with how smoothly everything went.
“Yeah, I’m good,” he said. “I’m feeling much, much better than what I was. I feel like it was something that needed to be done. In your career, you have moments like that where things can take you a bit by surprise.”
He also acknowledged that reports about a heart problem can sound particularly alarming to those outside the medical profession, including relatives and friends who contacted him after hearing the news.
However, McTominay stressed that the procedure was relatively straightforward and that he was delighted to have returned to playing football.
Scotland recalls McTominay after Napoli return
The heart procedure kept McTominay out of Scotland’s first four Nations League fixtures, during which the national team recorded one victory, one draw, and two defeats.
His return to action with Napoli, both domestically and in the Champions League, has now earned him a recall to the Scotland squad.
Sebastien Pocognoli’s side are preparing for two upcoming fixtures, hosting North Macedonia on Friday before travelling to face Switzerland on Monday.
For McTominay, getting back onto the pitch is only part of the challenge. The midfielder is determined to use the experience as motivation to improve further and reach another level in his career.
“That’s the most important thing in my life, and it always will be in terms of wanting to come back and prove myself again and making sure that I can go to another level,” he added.
McTominay determined to return stronger
Despite the unexpected interruption to his season, McTominay has no intention of allowing the experience to change his approach to football.
He believes progress depends on maintaining high standards between matches, with recovery, nutrition, and sleep all playing important roles in sustaining performance throughout a career.
“For me, it’s always about coming back stronger,” he explained.
“No matter how well you play in one game, it’s about the next game and pushing yourself and recovering well and eating the right things, sleeping correctly throughout your career.”
The midfielder is now focused on building on his return to action and making the most of his opportunity to represent Scotland again.